College Football Week 7 Picks and Predictions

The Saturday slate for Week 7 of the college football season features three intriguing matchups, pitting top-25 teams against each other: No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 16 Washington, No. 10 LSU vs. No. 17 Florida and No. 7 Georgia vs. No. 25 Missouri. There are also a few other compelling contests such as No. 5 Stanford vs. Utah, No. 9 Texas A&M vs. Ole Miss, No. 12 Oklahoma vs. Texas and No. 14 South Carolina vs. Arkansas, which could potentially produce an upset.

The last few weeks have been a little short on drama, and they haven’t exactly featured a ton of great games. However, this Saturday certainly has the chance to make up for the rather ho-hum recent weekends, and it could easily be the best and most entertaining day we’ve seen so far this season.

Here’s a look at the picks and predictions for ever Saturday game of Week 7.

Saturday’s Super Six Picks

UCLA Bruins (-25)

43-17—That’s the lopsided score that UCLA players will have running through their minds when they look to avenge last year’s embarrassing loss to Cal.

The Bruins—led by star dual-threat quarterback Brett Hundley, a player that belongs in the Heisman discussion—shouldn’t have much trouble getting the revenge their searching for. UCLA’s offense, which is averaging 48 points and 561 yards per game, should absolutely light up a Cal defense, which currently ranks 123rd nationally in total defense and 124th in scoring defense.

Though 25 points may be a big spread to cover in a conference clash, Hundley and the Bruins should still be able to put a true beat down on the overmatched Bears defense and win this game by a large margin.

LSU Tigers (-7)

LSU managed to score just six points against Florida’s rugged defense in last year’s loss to the Gators. However, this is a completely different-looking Tigers offense this year.

Now that QB Zach Mettenberger has finally hit his stride during his senior year with the help of dynamic playmakers such as RB Jeremy Hill and receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, the Tigers’ explosive attack should move the ball with much more consistency and efficiency than we saw in last year’s meeting.

Though Florida’s talent-stocked defense may be intimidating, Mettenberger and his group of explosive skill-position players should be able to feed off the energy of the home crowd and easily outpace a Gators offense, led by backup QB Tyler Murphy, which is averaging just 5.6 yards per play and just 25 points per game.

Wisconsin Badgers (-10)

Northwestern may have been able to put a scare into Ohio State last week, but ultimately, the Wildcats just weren’t able to get the job done in their bid to upset the Buckeyes. Now, following that disappointing loss at home, you have to wonder just how much of a hangover effect will plague Pat Fitzgerald’s squad, as the team now heads out on the road to face a Wisconsin squad that has some serious offensive talent.

The Badgers offense features one of the best backfield tandems in the country comprised of Melvin Gordon and James White, who have already combined to rush for 1,171 yards and 11 touchdowns in their first five games. The unit also features two dangerous receiving threats—WR Jared Abbrederis and TE Jacob Pedersen, who should cause plenty of headaches for the Northwestern secondary.

If the Wildcats have spent this past week of practice sulking about the Ohio State loss, instead of focusing their full attention on Wisconsin’s high-powered offense, they could be in store for a long afternoon in Madison.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+7)

After starting the season 3-0, Georgia Tech has just experienced two tough conference losses to Virginia Tech and Miami in back-to-back weeks. Now, the Yellow Jackets will be looking to right the ship when they take on BYU in Provo.

The Georgia Tech defense, led by standouts DE Jeremiah Attaochu, CB Jemea Thomas and LB Jabari Hunt-Days, is a much better unit than the one we saw give up 45 points to the Hurricanes last week.

The Yellow Jackets’ front-seven, which is allowing just 120 rushing yards per game, should be able to neutralize BYU’s dangerous dual-threat quarterback Taysom Hill and force him to beat the defense with his arm, instead of his legs.

If Georgia Tech can control Hill, the Yellow Jackets have a great chance to not only cover the touchdown spread, but to pull off an outright upset victory on the road.

North Texas Mean Green (-6.5)

Both North Texas and Middle Tennessee State will be looking for big bounce-back performances, as both teams have lost their last two games. However, this is a situation that would seem to clearly favor the Mean Green.

Though the Blue Raiders may have a 3-3 record, they’ve actually been out-gained in each of their past five games, and even in their wins they haven’t looked all that impressive.

North Texas’ strong-armed senior signal-caller Derek Thompson should be able to create plenty of big plays in the passing game against a Middle Tennessee State secondary that has given up 65 pass plays of 10 or more yards, which is tied for the sixth most in the nation.

If the Mean Green’s passing game kicks into full gear, North Texas should win this game by double-digits.

Ole Miss Rebels (+6.5)

After playing four out of their first five games on the road, including back-to-back losses in the state of Alabama over the last two weeks, Ole Miss will be glad to be back in the friendly confines of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, hosting Texas A&M.

Though the Rebels will face the tough task of trying to slow down Johnny Manziel, Mike Evans and the rest of Texas A&M’s ultra-explosive offense, Ole Miss is a team that has plenty of offensive firepower of its own with playmakers such as RB Jeff Scott and receivers Donte Moncrief and Laquon Treadwell.

This is the type of game that could easily turn into a high-scoring offensive shootout, and it could come down to who ends up with the ball last. Though admittedly, they haven’t looked good in the past two weeks, I think the Rebels have what it takes to put together a statement performance at home against a high-profile opponent. Even if they can’t pull off a standings-shaking upset, Ole Miss should be able to put quite a scare into the Aggies.

Predictions For Every Saturday Game

South Florida Bulls at Connecticut Huskies

Spread: Connecticut (-4)

Total: 41

Picks: Connecticut (-4), OVER

Prediction: Connecticut 27, South Florida 21

Missouri Tigers at Georgia Bulldogs

Spread: Georgia (-7.5)

Total: 64

Picks: Georgia (-7.5), UNDER

Prediction: Georgia 34, Missouri 23

Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan State Spartans

Spread: Michigan State (-9.5)

Total: 53

Picks: Michigan State (-9.5), OVER

Prediction: Michigan State 38, Indiana 24

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Longhorns

Spread: Oklahoma (-14)

Total: 57

Picks: Texas (+14), UNDER

Prediction: Oklahoma 30, Texas 21

Pittsburgh Panthers at Virginia Tech Hokies

Spread: Virginia Tech (-8.5)

Total: 42.5

Picks: Virginia Tech (-8.5), OVER

Prediction: Virginia Tech 30, Pittsburgh 17

Nebraska Cornhuskers at Purdue Boilermakers

Spread: Nebraska (-14.5)

Total: 57

Picks: Purdue (+14.5), UNDER

Prediction: Nebraska 31, Purdue 23

Kansas Jayhawks at TCU Horned Frogs

Spread: TCU (-25)

Total: 45.5

Picks: Kansas (+25), OVER

Prediction: TCU 34, Kansas 17

Memphis Tigers vs. Houston Cougars

Spread: Houston (-9)

Total: 52.5

Picks: Houston (-9), OVER

Prediction: Houston 35, Memphis 20

Eastern Michigan Eagles at Army Black Knights

Spread: Army (-7.5)

Total: 55.5

Picks: Eastern Michigan (+7.5), UNDER

Prediction: Army 24, Eastern Michigan 20

Iowa State Cyclones at Texas Tech Red Raiders

Spread: Texas Tech (-14)

Total: 55.5

Picks: Texas Tech (-14), OVER

Prediction: Texas Tech 42, Iowa State 24

South Carolina Gamecocks at Arkansas Razorbacks

Spread: South Carolina (-6)

Total: 51

Picks: Arkansas (+6), UNDER

Prediction: Arkansas 26, South Carolina 20

Navy Midshipmen at Duke Blue Devils

Spread: Duke (-3)

Total: 58

Picks: Duke (-3), OVER

Prediction: Duke 45, Navy 35

Central Michigan Chippewas at Ohio Bobcats

Spread: Ohio (-18.5)

Total: 53

Picks: Central Michigan (+18.5), OVER

Prediction: Ohio 38, Central Michigan 24

Buffalo Bulls at Western Michigan Broncos

Spread: Buffalo (-11)

Total: 51.5

Picks: Buffalo (-11), UNDER

Prediction: Buffalo 27, Western Michigan 13

Miami (Ohio) RedHawks at UMass Minutemen

Spread: UMass (-5)

Total: 45

Picks: UMass (-5), UNDER

Prediction: UMass 24, Miami (Ohio) 17

Kent State Golden Flashes at Ball State Cardinals

Spread: Ball State (-14.5)

Total: 62.5

Picks: Ball State (-14.5), OVER

Prediction: Ball State 45, Kent State 28

Troy Trojans at Georgia State Panthers

Spread: Troy (-16.5)

Total: 63.5

Picks: Georgia State (+16.5), OVER

Prediction: Troy 45, Georgia State 31

Baylor Bears at Kansas State Wildcats

Spread: Baylor (-17)

Total: 74

Picks: Baylor (-17), UNDER

Prediction: Baylor 49, Kansas State 21

Florida Gators at LSU Tigers

Spread: LSU (-7)

Total: 48

Picks: LSU (-7), OVER

Prediction: LSU 34, Florida 23

Virginia Cavaliers at Maryland Terrapins

Spread: Maryland (-6.5)

Total: 43.5

Picks: Maryland (-6.5), OVER

Prediction: Maryland 31, Virginia 16

Boston College Eagles at Clemson Tigers

Spread: Clemson (-24)

Total: 64

Picks: Boston College (+24), OVER

Prediction: Clemson 45, Boston College 24

Syracuse Orange at NC State Wolfpack

Spread: NC State (-7)

Total: 54

Picks: NC State (-7), UNDER

Prediction: NC State 30, Syracuse 21

New Mexico Lobos at Wyoming Cowboys

Spread: Wyoming (-14)

Total: 70

Picks: Wyoming (-14), OVER

Prediction: Wyoming 49, New Mexico 31

San Jose State Spartans at Colorado State Rams

Spread: Colorado State (-3.5)

Total: 61

Picks: Colorado State (-3.5), OVER

Prediction: Colorado State 38, San Jose State 31

Northwestern Wildcats at Wisconsin Badgers

Spread: Wisconsin (-10)

Total: 58

Picks: Wisconsin (-10), OVER

Prediction: Wisconsin 41, Northwestern 24

East Carolina Pirates at Tulane Green Wave

Spread: East Carolina (-10)

Total: 54

Picks: Tulane (+10), UNDER

Prediction: East Carolina 28, Tulane 24

Oregon Ducks at Washington Huskies

Spread: Oregon (-13.5)

Total: 76.5

Picks: Washington (+13.5), UNDER

Prediction: Oregon 36, Washington 31

Rice Owls at UTSA RoadRunners

Spread: UTSA (-1.5)

Total: 50

Picks: UTSA (-1.5), UNDER

Prediction: UTSA 27, Rice 20

Marshall Thundering Herd at Florida Atlantic Owls

Spread: Marshall (-10)

Total: 55

Picks: Marshall (-10), UNDER

Prediction: Marshall 35, Florida Atlantic 17

Michigan Wolverines at Penn State Nittany Lions

Spread: Michigan (-2.5)

Total: 50.5

Picks: Penn State (+2.5), OVER

Prediction: Michigan 30, Penn State 28

Akron Zips at Northern Illinois Huskies

Spread: Northern Illinois (-23.5)

Total: 62

Picks: Northern Illinois (-23.5), OVER

Prediction: Northern Illinois 48, Akron 21

Stanford Cardinal at Utah Utes

Spread: Stanford (-8.5)

Total: 53

Picks: Utah (+8.5), UNDER

Prediction: Stanford 26, Utah 20

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at BYU Cougars

Spread: BYU (-7)

Total: 53.5

Picks: Georgia Tech (+7), OVER

Prediction: Georgia Tech 34, BYU 27

Idaho Vandals at Arkansas State Red Wolves

Spread: Arkansas State (-25.5)

Total: 62

Picks: Arkansas State (-25.5), OVER

Prediction: Arkansas State 49, Idaho 21

Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders at North Texas Mean Green

Spread: North Texas (-6.5)

Total: 53

Picks: North Texas (-6.5), UNDER

Prediction: North Texas 30, Middle Tennessee 21

Alabama Crimson Tide at Kentucky Wildcats

Spread: Alabama (-27)

Total: 51

Picks: Alabama (-27), OVER

Prediction: Alabama 48, Kentucky 17

UL-Monroe Warhawks at Texas State Bobcats

Spread: Texas State (-7)

Total: 45

Picks: Texas State (-7), UNDER

Prediction: Texas State 27, UL-Monroe 16

Bowling Green Falcons at Mississippi State Bulldogs

Spread: Mississippi State (-11)

Total: 52:

Prediction: Mississippi State (-11), OVER

Picks: Mississippi State 38, Bowling Green 21

UAB Blazers at FIU Golden Panthers

Spread: UAB (-7)

Total: 53

Picks: FIU (+7), UNDER

Prediction: UAB 23, FIU 19

Hawaii Warriors at UNLV Rebels

Spread: UNLV (-8)

Total: 55

Picks: UNLV (-8), UNDER

Prediction: UNLV 31, Hawaii 20

Tulsa Golden Hurricane at UTEP Miners

Spread: Tulsa (-10)

Total: 65

Picks: Tulsa (-10), OVER

Prediction: Tulsa 48, UTEP 35

Boise State Broncos at Utah State Aggies

Spread: Boise State (-7)

Total: 50.5

Picks: Utah State (+7), OVER

Prediction: Boise State 34, Utah State 30

Texas A&M Aggies at Ole Miss Rebels

Spread: Texas A&M (-6.5)

Total: 78.5

Picks: Ole Miss (+6.5), OVER

Prediction: Texas A&M 49, Ole Miss 45

Colorado Buffaloes at Arizona State Sun Devils

Spread: Arizona State (-26)

Total: 68

Picks: Colorado (+26), OVER

Prediction: Arizona State 52, Colorado 30

California Golden Bears at UCLA Bruins

Spread: UCLA (-25)

Total: 74

Picks: UCLA (-25), OVER

Prediction: UCLA 59, Cal 24

Oregon State Beavers at Washington State Cougars

Spread: Pick ‘Em

Total: 63

Picks: Oregon State, UNDER

Prediction: Oregon State 34, Washington State 24

*Note: All lines courtesy of Covers.com. Games with FCS teams are not included.